The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and that means the Salvation Army needs bell ringers.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Man jailed in Illinois for allegedly kidnapping Stark County girl to be extradited to Ohio soon
The man arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 5-year-old girl from Jackson Township in Ohio, is expected to be extradited back to the state sometime next week.… MORE
Free COVID-19 testing at Heartland Community College
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – If you’re looking for a COVID-19 test a local college is offering the service for free. Heartland Community College is using the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based COVID-19 test. The test, which was developed by the University of Illinois, is in use throughout colleges and universities in Illinois. Heartland Public Information Director…… MORE
Appointment program being implemented at larger driver services facilities in Central Illinois
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that throughout the next few months, many larger downstate and central Illinois Driver Services facilities will require appointments for behind-the-wheel road tests, REALIDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards. According to a news release, vehicle services, such as renewing a license plate sticker…… MORE
Normal Community A-Train concession stand named best pork chop sandwich in Illinois
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and the Illinois Pork Producers Association announced Normal Community High School cooked up the best pork chop sandwich in the state of Illinois this past season.… MORE
Downstate lawmaker: New EV legislation is an “opportunity for Illinois to see more success”
A downstate Republican lawmaker is praising a bill signed by Gov. Pritzker on Monday that looks to bolster electric vehicles on Illinois roadways.… MORE
The Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees starts Thursday at the Interstate Center
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees gets underway Thursday morning at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. The event is a long-standing community tradition that provides critical funding to local children’s programs and helps support The Baby Fold. It’s the organization’s largest fundraiser. Baby Fold Vice President of Development and Public…… MORE
CIRA passenger traffic remains mostly leisure travel
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local airport is still seeing steady passenger numbers, especially when it comes to leisure travel. Central Illinois Regional Airport deputy director Fran Strebing says passenger numbers last month were at 86% of the 2019 totals. “Business travel is still not quite back,” Strebing told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “It’s increasing…… MORE
State Rep. Dan Brady announces run for secretary of state
By Dave Dahl BLOOMINGTON – A local Republican is joining a handful of Democrats in the campaign to succeed Jesse White as Illinois secretary of state. It’s State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington). If six-term incumbent White, who is retiring, ever did a good job, Brady says he is not now. Brady says lines at driver…… MORE
Normal Police calling on people who are interested in applying for open positions
Like many forces around the country, the Normal Police Department is calling on those interested to apply for various positions.… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…